Monthly Archives: June 2016

Posted onJune 24, 2016|Comments Off on Solar energy now flowing to Wisconsin customers

Largest solar project in the state goes into full operation

BELOIT, Wis. – June 24, 2016 – Our Wisconsin customers are now receiving clean power from the Rock River solar project. The 2.3-megawatt solar facility went into service earlier this week. The sun-powered generating station includes over 7,700 solar panels and covers nearly 17 acres.

The project is located on our property near Beloit, Wis. and it sits on a landfill, a further environmental benefit. We collaborated with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to enable the landfill site to be reused for the solar facility.

Our company signed a 10-year power purchase agreement with Hanwha Q CELLS, which owns and operates the project that includes an option to purchase the facility at the end of the contract.

Because of the forecasted heat in Iowa, we will remotely control air conditioners and electric water heaters. This will affect participating customers south of Highway 20.

Participants will see their air conditioner cycled in 15-minute intervals throughout the afternoon. The furnace fan will continue to circulate the cooler, drier air already in the home.

The program reduces overall energy use, which lowers costs for customers. We activate the program in different parts of the state depending on the forecasted temperature for that area.

Program details:

Who – This is a voluntary program for Alliant Energy’s Iowa residential customers.

When – The cycling will happen from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., June 15, 2016.

Why – We reduce costs to customers by lowering overall energy usage.

How – Our program syncs up air conditioners across the state to reduce the number running at one time. In industry terms, this reduces peak demand, and reduces the need to purchase higher-priced energy because of high demand.

Participating residential customers across the state get up to $10 per month from June through September – even if it doesn’t get warm enough to cycle appliances.

DUBUQUE, Iowa – June 15, 2016 – You will soon see a new solar energy system on the Dubuque landscape.

Alliant Energy’s Iowa utility is pursuing two solar energy sites with the city of Dubuque, the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation and A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co.

Conceptual image of solar site near downtown Dubuque, Iowa.

“Dubuque is extremely pleased to be part of a significant project that will create a meaningful and lasting impact on our community,” said Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol. “Initiatives like this are the key to increasing access to renewable energy and creating a sustainable future.”

“This collaboration demonstrates the power of a city, a local business and a utility working together,” said John Larsen, senior vice president of Alliant Energy. “The project showcases how we’re looking beyond traditional energy generation to develop renewable energy for customers.”

The first site is a former foundry near downtown owned by A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. The second site is planned for the city’s newly acquired land near the Dubuque Industrial Center West. The project will transform the land into a source of renewable energy and will study how to develop similar sites across Iowa.

“We’re pleased to help develop a renewable energy project that’s good for both the economy and the environment,” said Rob McDonald, president and CEO of A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co.

Alliant Energy expects the system to be at least four megawatts and begin operating in 2017.

Utility to activate Appliance Cycling program in southern Iowa today

Today, we will remotely control air conditioners and electric water heaters for participating customers across the southern portion of the state. Participants will see their air conditioner cycled in 15-minute intervals throughout the afternoon. The furnace fan will continue to circulate the cooler, drier air already in the home.

The program reduces overall energy use, which lowers costs for customers. We activate the program in different parts of the state depending on the forecasted temperature for that area.

Program details:

Who – This is a voluntary program for Alliant Energy’s Iowa residential customers.

When – The cycling will happen from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., June 10, 2016.

Why – We reduce costs to customers by lowering overall energy usage.

How – Our program syncs up air conditioners across the state to reduce the number running at one time. In industry terms, this reduces peak demand, and reduces the need to purchase higher-priced energy because of high demand.

Participating residential customers across the state get up to $10 per month from June through September – even if it doesn’t get warm enough to cycle appliances.